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Education & Work
2005 – present Studio gallery in Wedmore, Somerset.
2018 Antwerp NAJ Diamond Experience trip
2015 Attended lectures and research into The Alfred Jewel at The Museum of Somerset.
2012 Artists Residency, Brison’s Veor, Cape Cornwall. Cornish Tin and mining research
2011 Elected Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths
2011 Gemmological Association of Great Britain; corundum treatments lecture and workshop.
2008 London Metropolitan: Linda Lewin; Granulation master-class
2005 West Dean College: Brian Marshall; Tool making
2004/ 5 Birmingham School of Jewellery: Giovanni Corvaja; Granulation master-class & micro-wire working master-class.
1997 Qualified as D.G.A. (Diamond Diploma, distinction pass).
Retail Jeweller’s Diploma and Lesley Fizgerald Award.
1996 Qualified as F.G.A. (Fellow of Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
1992 Set up own workshop and gallery in Wells, Somerset.
1990 Worked for Michael Page full time. Chagford, Devon. Learned advanced practical techniques in traditional diamond mounting skills.
1987 Gold and Silver Studio in Bath. Making and designing commissions in gold, silver and platinum. Attended masterclasses in advanced jewellery-making techniques with Michael Page.
Attended masterclasses in gemstone setting with Tony York, Birmingham.
1985 Apprenticeship with traditional Indian jewellers in Bristol. Making 22ct and pure gold jewellery, including ceremonial pieces using traditional Indian techniques.
Selected Exhibitions, Events and Awards
2018 Commissioned to write a book about jewellery making. Crowood Press. Due for publication 2020
2018 Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design Exhibition, Cheltenham
2018 Delamore Arts Exhibition. Paintings.
2018 ‘Hidden Treasures’ Exhibition. Goldsmiths Centre, London. Goldsmiths Company and Institute of Professional Goldsmiths Exhibition.
2017 Exhibition CCD Craft Central, Clerkenwell, London
2017 Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design Exhibition. Jewellery and Art
2017 Delamore Arts Exhibition. Paintings
2017 Gold Award: South West Fairtrade Business Awards; Single Product Retailer Section
2016 Winner, South West Fairtrade Business Awards; Single Product Retailer Section,
2015 ‘I Do’ Fairtrade Gold exhibition, Cox & Power, London
2015 Gold Award winner, South West Fairtrade Business Awards
2015 Finalist Retail Jeweller ‘Ethical Jeweller of the Year’ Award
2014 Finalist ‘Wildlife Artist of the Year′
2014 JewelStreet ‘Fine Designer’ Award winner
2013 ‘Designers of Excellence 2013’ Touring Collection. Houlden Group and Jewellery Show
2013 The Jewellery Show London, Somerset House. Including catwalk collection
2013 Goldsmith’s Pavilion – Goldsmith’s Company, Somerset House, London
2013 Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design, Cheltenham
2012 Winner of the British Jeweller’s Association Award 2012
2012 Work selected for exhibition for the Queen’s visit to Somerset
2012 Commissioned work for auction at Olympian event
2012 ‘Swans of Wells’ public art event artist & designer
2012 ‘Essence’ ethical jewellery, part of ‘Treasure’, Somerset House, London
2011 Granted licence holder for Fairtrade and Fairmined Gold
2011 Elected a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Goldsmiths
2010 ‘Treasure’ Exhibition, London Jewellery Week
2010 Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design Exhibition
2009 ‘Adornment’ Exhibition, Somerset Guild of Craftsmen
2009 Celebration of Craftsmanship and Design Exhibition
2008 JASSO, taught a weekend workshop ‘An Introduction to Granulation’
2008 Society of Designer Craftsmen ‘Designer Crafts At Chelsea’
2007 Kayman Award 3rd Prize ‘Party Pieces’ exhibited with BJA at N.E.C. Birmingham.
2007 Art in Action – demonstrated and exhibited granulation.
2006 Selected into the Worshipful Company of Goldsmith’s ‘Who’s Who in Gold and Silver’
2006 Created & exhibited the ‘Wedmore Ring’.
Selected Publications / Media
2018 ‘Hidden Gems’ by Erica Sharpe – Monthly column, West Country Magazine, Western Daily Press
2017 ‘Hidden Gems’ by Erica Sharpe – Monthly column, West Country Magazine, Western Daily Press
2015 Inside Jeweller – Q&A Feature
2015 Featured in ‘Fine Jewels’ Showcase in Professional Jeweller magazine
2015 Somerset Life magazine feature
2015 Interview filmed for ‘Discovering Somerset’ DVD with Henry Buckton, on the Saxon Ring
2013 Jewellery Focus Magazine – Ethical Jewellery Feature
2013 National Trade publications ‘Designers of Excellence 2013
2013 The County Magazine – Ethical Jewellery Feature
2013 Make Jewellery Magazine – feature ‘5 Minutes with Erica Sharpe’
2012 Somerset Life
2012 National Trade publications BJA Award coverage
2012 Cornwall Today
2012 The New Encyclopedia of Jewellery Making Techniques (Search Press Ltd)
2011 Shot video ‘The Cry of Tin’ with R&A Collaborations, https://vimeo.com/59050495
2011 Cornwall Today
2011 Somerset Life
2010 Cornwall Life
2010 Cornwall Today
2010 Workbench Guide to Jewellery Techniques, (Thames and Hudson)
Pioneering the field of ethical jewellery production, Erica was one of the first jewellers in the world licensed to trade in Fairtrade gold.